Pharmacist salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Pharmacists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $161,940 a year ($77.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $131,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,760 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $140,910. Pay here is 2% lower than the California statewide median of $164,610. There are 1.8 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $162,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $131,330 | $63.14 |
| 25th percentile | $139,170 | $66.91 |
| Median | $161,940 | $77.86 |
| 75th percentile | $185,430 | $89.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,760 | $106.14 |
| Average (mean) | $162,700 | $78.22 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,495 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,747.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,228.46 |
| Weekly | $3,114.23 |
| Hourly | $77.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $161,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Pharmacist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $200,580 | 180 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $199,040 | 1,960 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $177,410 | 3,670 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $172,860 | 240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $172,680 | 2,310 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $171,900 | 90 |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,870 | 350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $170,570 | 330 |
| Fresno, CA | $169,160 | 890 |
| Redding, CA | $166,800 | 160 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,470 | 260 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $165,130 | 2,840 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $162,520 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $162,440 | 530 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $161,930 | 600 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $161,870 | 3,400 |
| Chico, CA | $161,410 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $161,240 | 140 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,520 | 380 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $160,430 | 630 |
| El Centro, CA | $158,490 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $158,080 | 310 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $157,440 | 12,450 |
| Merced, CA | $154,870 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
See Pharmacist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 | $62.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,190 | $80.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $305,610 | $146.93 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Veterinarian | $164,820 | $79.24 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,030 | $76.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,670 | $57.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $130,420 | $62.70 |
| Dentists, General | $175,950 | $84.59 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $134,880 | $64.85 |
| Acupuncturist | $91,350 | $43.92 |
| Optometrist | $122,150 | $58.73 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $103,760 | $49.88 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for pharmacists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $161,940 a year, or $77.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $131,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of pharmacists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $220,760 a year. The top 25% earn $185,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $131,330 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $139,170 or less.
How many pharmacists work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 170 pharmacists are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.